Outside the entrance of the Three Broomsticks, Ms. Rosmerta placed a giant pumpkin she had somehow acquired to the left of the door. Crossing her arms, she struck a thoughtful pose before raising her wand to gesture through the air at the pumpkin in front of her.
"Hey! Ms. Rosmerta!"
A deep yet slightly sharp voice called out from not far away.
Ms. Rosmerta turned, surprised. "Hey, Zonko, you're early today."
Zonko laughed heartily and said, "Madam Puddifoot didn't come up with anything new this year. She reused last year's design, so things moved quickly."
Ms. Rosmerta mirrored his expression with a weary smile. "Same here. I haven't had any fresh design inspiration either."
"Are you going to use last year's design then? Honestly, your design from last year was pretty good. It's still stylish even now"
Zonko said enthusiastically, though his tone made it hard to tell if he was sincere or sarcastic.
Ms. Rosmerta didn't doubt him and rolled her eyes. "Halloween pumpkin designs have been more or less the same for centuries."
"There's always some change, even if it's just a little bit," Zonko said, holding his thumb and index close together in a 'little bit' gesture.
Ignoring Zonko's unfunny joke, Ms. Rosmerta frowned and thought for a moment before sighing and shaking her head. "Let's just go with last year's design. I can't think of anything better right now."
"Be optimistic, maybe that's because your design already reached perfection"
Zonko said, laughing as he pulled out his wand and waved it a few times at the pumpkin, which was the size of a cartwheel.
"I'm sure you told Madam Puddifoot the same thing," Ms. Rosmerta said bluntly.
Zonko gave an awkward smile before putting away his wand.
"All right, ma'am! Please inspect the final product!"
Ms. Rosmerta glanced at the pumpkin, now carved into a cheerful face with a wide grin, and shook her head again. She reached into her purse and pulled out a silver Sickle.
"If I'd paid more attention in Transfiguration class back then, I wouldn't need your help now!"
She grumbled as she handed over the coin.
"Learning and exploring don't need to be a 'back then.' Starting now is always the best time"
Zonko replied smoothly, offering her a dose of motivational poison.
Ms. Rosmerta ignored the advice entirely. Staring at the pumpkin head, she hesitated before suddenly rushing into her tavern. Moments later, she came running back out with a large wizard's hat.
Placing the hat on top of the pumpkin, she smiled in satisfaction.
Zonko laughed at the sight and then headed toward the Hogsmeade Post Office, skipping the Hog's Head Inn along the way.
That place didn't need him. Aberforth might not be the most sociable wizard, but his magical skills were solid. A little Transfiguration spell wouldn't trouble him, and he didn't seem like the type to spend money on such ceremonial touches anyway.
This scene was just a snapshot of Hogsmeade, which was brimming with festive atmosphere and energy. For once, the little village seemed surprisingly lively.
But the excitement didn't reach every corner.
One such quiet spot lay on the edge of Hogsmeade. To the east was the Shrieking Shack, a haunted house famous throughout Britain. To the right was a stretch of forest—technically the outer edge of the Forbidden Forest surrounding Hogwarts.
Though it lacked the dangerous magical creatures found deeper within, no one dared risk venturing near its dark and foreboding trees.
But today, a man dressed in a long black trench coat and wearing a wide-brimmed black hat appeared here, carrying a suitcase.
He glanced around, placed the suitcase on the ground, and then unhesitatingly drew his wand. With a flick, he disapparated, vanishing from sight and leaving the suitcase sitting there, solitary and unattended.
Not long after, rustling sounds came from the forest.
"Damn it! Why couldn't we just Apparate?"
"Hogwarts doesn't allow Apparition inside its grounds, Master."
"But that spot wasn't inside Hogwarts' grounds!"
"It was only a few steps anyway."
The same voice spoke, alternating between different tones, as if talking to itself.
Moments later, Quirrell appeared. He saw the suitcase on the ground, scanned the surroundings with a frown, and muttered;
"No one's here? Just a suitcase?"
"Ha, do you really think anyone would dare to get directly involved in this matter? Simply providing us with the goods is already the most they're willing to do," came Voldemort's mocking voice in his head.
"It seems Dumbledore isn't as universally adored as he thinks he is."
"What now?"
Quirrell was puzzled but even less willing to linger, as he was busy at the school—either teaching classes or helping with preparations. There was always something to do.
If he disappeared for too long, people would notice.
"Take the suitcase and stick to the plan"
Voldemort said confidently. The situation was entirely within his expectations. Nothing had deviated from the plan, making him believe that today's operation might proceed unusually smoothly.
If the plan succeeded today, the Dark Lord would rise again, destroying all who had resisted him and exploited his moment of weakness.
Especially the traitors.
Quirrell picked up the suitcase and began retracing his steps, quietly heading back the way he came.
---
At Hogwarts, students who had classes were still lethargically attending them. Though their bodies were in the classroom, their minds had long drifted to the venue being set up outside.
Rumor had it that a popular band would be performing at the school tonight.
Some even speculated that there might be a demonstration duel between professors.
"So tonight is just a dinner?"
Gemma looked at Professor Snape, puzzled as to why the professors had decided on such a mundane plan.
In past years, wasn't the goal to make it as lively as possible?
Especially since this year's preparations were being handled by none other than Professor McGonagall, who was always inclined toward grand celebrations.
Snape, however, didn't elaborate. While glancing at the letter in his hand, he nodded and said, "I'm telling you in advance—keep the others calm when the time comes. Don't let anything get out of hand."
Gemma frowned slightly but remained silent, simply staring at Snape.
"All right, Professor."
After a brief pause, she finally spoke and then turned to leave his office.
'Maybe I should go ask Luke...'
She thought to herself.
*****
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